Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy
Pain at the front of the pelvis over the pubic bone, or at the back around the dimples, during pregnancy. It is worse walking, on stairs, standing on one leg, getting in and out of a car and turning over in bed. About one in five pregnant people have it. It isn't harmful to your baby, and it can be helped: you don't have to just put up with it.
Also called PGP, symphysis pubis dysfunction, SPD, pelvic pain in pregnancy.
Does this sound like you?
- Pain over the pubic bone, or low at the back of the pelvis
- Stairs, long walks and standing on one leg are the hardest
- Turning over in bed or getting out of a car hurts
- Sometimes a clicking or grinding feeling at the front
This is not a diagnosis. Several things cause pain in the same place, which is why the list below matters.
Check these first: when it is not pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy
If any of these apply, get checked before you start the exercises. The ones marked in red can't wait.
- Bleeding, fluid leaking, regular painful contractions, or your baby moving less. Contact your maternity unit now
- Pain, swelling or redness in one calf. Get it seen the same day
- Pain that stops you walking or looking after yourself. Ask your midwife for a physiotherapy referral
- Pain with a fever, or pain passing urine
The exercises, in the order you would build them up
How long it takes
Many people improve with advice and exercise during pregnancy, and it usually settles after the birth. Keep your knees together when you turn over or get out of a car, take stairs one at a time, and ask your midwife about a physiotherapy referral.
What the NHS says
The NHS's own pages on this, to check what you have read here against.
Waiting for an appointment?
Kinehub turns this into a daily plan, adjusts it as you improve or struggle, and keeps the record you hand over when you are finally seen.
Keep reading
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A daily plan for pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy
Kinehub turns these exercises into a short daily session with a demo for each one, and tracks your pain before and after so you can see whether it is working. Free to start.
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